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Reconfiguring small bathroom...help needed

15 replies

RhubarbCrumble1 · 16/02/2016 15:30

We have a teeny bathroom 1.7 metre by 1.82metre.
We are hoping to have the hot water tank removed when we change our central heating so wonder if we could use this space to make a more spacious bathroom.
Any ideas? We currently have a sink to the right as walk in, toilet facing the door as it opens and a bath with shower over to the left.
Any suggestions welcomed

Reconfiguring small bathroom...help needed
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rhihaf · 16/02/2016 15:48

Are you more concerned about more facilities (a separate shower cubicle?) or a feeling of space? If you wanted to do it on the cheap, put a shower cubicle where the hot water tank is, using the existing walls as the cubicle and just tile over.
Otherwise, knock down internal stud wall so that the extra bit (where tank was) gets light from the window and either add glass shower cubicle, or slide bath up into this gap leaving more open space. Or you could build some extra storage at one end of your bath (depending on whether you move it or not). Remember that moving plumbing is what costs most - in time and labour, even if you get bargain fixtures and fittings.
Good luck whatever you decide! x

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wowfudge · 16/02/2016 15:54

Open up what is now the airing cupboard with tank into the bathroom and, if big enough, put a shower in there - extend it into the room if necessary as a cramped cubicle is worse than an over bath shower.

Change the bathroom door to open outwards to give you more space perhaps

Put the bath (a slightly smaller than full size one) under the window and move the loo round the corner between the shower and bath.

Have a sink with vanity unit/cupboards round it for storage.

If you have the walls taken back to brick and the room plasterboarded you may gain some extra centimetres which could really help fit things in.

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RhubarbCrumble1 · 16/02/2016 16:12

Wow thanks for the suggestions.
Going to go and draw them out.
Cost is an issue as we plan to move in about 3 years (bought a nice house in wrong area so schools aren't great) so want to make it appealing to buyers as possible

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RhubarbCrumble1 · 16/02/2016 16:22

Is it expensive to remove the very thick floor to ceiling tiles?

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Lelivre · 16/02/2016 16:26

I've had this exact situation. Similar dimensions. Is the 1.7 under the window and where is the soil pipe and toilet now please? Also where is the sink and waste. I will post back tonight.

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Lelivre · 16/02/2016 16:29

Hang on you said about the toilet and sink, so the toilet is to the right of the window as you face it and the bath tap end are to the left of the window?

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lalalonglegs · 16/02/2016 16:41

In my opinion, the hot water tank cupboard would make a very poky shower (if the drawing is to scale. I think I would keep the bathroom layout the way it is and convert the cupboard into a linen cupboard/extra storage.

You can knock off tiles yourself - it's quite easy, just wear safety goggles to avoid getting ceramic splinters in your eyes. If the tiles are really stubborn, you can loosen a few with a kango-type drill.

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RhubarbCrumble1 · 16/02/2016 16:57

That's correct Lelivre I'd be interested to see what you've done

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RhubarbCrumble1 · 16/02/2016 16:58

A massive storage cupboard is an attractive option for me just such a shame when we lack floor space in bathroom but as you say lala might be better than a poky shower

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yomellamoHelly · 16/02/2016 17:05

With lala. Can't see how you'd measurably improve bathroom without maybe knicking some space from the largest bedroom, but doubt that would be worth the expense. Would go for a large cupboard where your tank is.
Tiles easily sorted. Have got rid myself here with a hammer, goggles and thick gloves. Is quite satisfying.

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AmIbeingaBitch · 16/02/2016 17:17

Our bathroom door opens outwards, onto the landing, which we found odd when we moved in. What it means is that you gain the freedom to re-arrange
anything in there, so that's a plus.

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Lelivre · 16/02/2016 21:50

You can get a modern rectangular shower-bath which is 1700x750. Also some that are 1700x700 with large internal bathing space even for very tall people (like us!)...Putting the bath under the window will immediately make the room feel very much larger. If your window is upvc and you tile right up to it into the recess, using waterproof (not splashproof) adhesive/grout then showering in this area is fine. A plain glass screen which pivots in/out also keeps the space airy. You could put the toilet next to the bath (check there's space at the so waste can run behind the sloping end of the bath) and opposite the sink. If the hall would allow the door to open out that would also make a big difference. Because the boiler cupboard is around the corner like that it isn't going to give the room a more spacious feel unless you get the sink or toilet or bath up into that corner. That's probably going to be a costly plumbing/waste/water reconfiguration. Yes you could put a shower in that corner but where/how is the waste and pipe work going to be laid. Personally I don't mind a shower bath and it's useful with young children.

What about making that void/area a large bathroom cupboard ceiling to floor at a half depth, get all of your toiletries out of the bathroom into there along with cleaning stuff and towels. Or you could create a door into the bathroom from the bedroom (not for everyone) or you could make this a large cupboard for that bedroom. Don't forget to consider building regs for new doorways or removing walls (including stud walls).

Changing the layout needs to be carefully planned and it is surprisingly expensive but having just done this to a tiny bathroom, the difference to how big it 'feels' is amazing and so worth it.

Take your drawings to a plumbers merchant with a showroom attached and they will give you some some practical suggestion on what is possible and the costs.

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DanceTheBlues · 17/02/2016 11:07

Are you able to change the way the door hangs so it opens out into the hallway? This means you've got the whole room to play with instead of having to work around the door.

We've got a bathroom with almost the exact dimensions as yours with the same layout but our door opens outwards. We moved the bath to the wall under the window - a P shaped bath with glass shower screen so we didn't have a shower curtain blocking off half the room. The sink moved to the left hand wall and the toilet on the right. It meant we had to move pipes around and extend the soil pipe but it has created a much better layout. This would leave you with the airing cupboard as storage.

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TheLesserSpottedBee · 17/02/2016 11:47

As you are looking to move in 3 years personally I wouldn't mess around with the layout.

Keep it as is but use the current tank cupboard as an airing/storage cupboard if the tank is removed. Put adjustable shelving inside it.

But nick a section from the side of the tank cupboard to make recessed shelving at the end of the bath. I don't know if your current shower is at the end next to the tank cupboard or next to the window. If the shower is already on that wall you have a shower niche to hold all the shampoo/shower gel.

Removing tiles is relatively easy, but depending on the age of the house the walls can be a mess underneath. So if you are looking to only re-tile certain parts of the bathroom you will probably need a skim coat of plaster. Well worth it to get a neater finish.

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RhubarbCrumble1 · 18/02/2016 17:17

Thank you so much everybody.

Dance the Blues was it expensive to move the pipes as I like the idea of the bath being on the wall with the window and then the toilet could be to the left (not the first thing you see) might be worth a quote.

I appreciate the practical advice that there would be little gained by adding airing cupboard to bathroom & I think I'd probably like the bathroom much more with a fresh suite and light tiles even if it isn't very big & wouldn't cost us much money.

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